The Morrison Family's Backyard Transformation

When the Morrison family called us last spring, their backyard was a story we've heard dozens of times: a crumbling concrete patio poured in the 1980s, a chain-link fence, and a stretch of patchy grass that nobody used. They had three kids, a dog, and a vision — they just needed someone to execute it.

The Challenge: Sloped Yard, Big Dreams

The Morrison lot dropped nearly six feet from the house to the back fence — a slope that eliminated most standard deck options and would have required significant grading if they'd gone with a patio. Their wish list included a dining area, a lounge space, and a hot tub pad, all within a $45,000 budget.

Our design team proposed a two-level composite deck using Trex Transcend in Tiki Torch — a warm, natural-looking tone that complemented the brick on the back of their home. Level one would host the dining table and built-in bench seating. Level two, four steps down, would hold the hot tub with a surrounding privacy screen.

The Build: 9 Days Start to Finish

We broke ground on a Monday and were done by the following Wednesday — nine working days for an 800 square foot deck, a pergola, and full hot tub integration. The structural framing used 6x6 posts set in 48-inch concrete footings to meet Arapahoe County frost depth requirements.

The pergola over the upper level came with integrated string light channels — so the Morrisons didn't have to figure out how to run outdoor lighting after the fact. Everything was pre-planned and pre-wired during framing.

The Result: A Backyard They Actually Use

The final project came in at $43,800 — under budget and exactly on schedule. The Trex Transcend decking carries a 25-year fade and stain warranty, so the Morrisons won't need to seal or stain anything for the life of the deck. Total maintenance: a garden hose and mild soap once a year.

• •800 sq ft two-level deck in Trex Transcend Tiki Torch
• •Integrated pergola with string light channels
• •Hot tub pad with 240V electrical rough-in
• •Custom composite privacy screen
• •Built-in bench seating on upper level
• •Arapahoe County permit handled by AGC